Partitioning of glycomacropeptide in aqueous two-phase systems

• Author(s): Silva, C. A. S. ; Coimbra, Jane Sélia dos Reis ; Rojas, Edwin Elard Garcia ; Teixeira, J. A.
• Date: 2009
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/9612
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Subject(s): Aqueous two-phase systems; PEG molar mass; NaCl addition; Tie line length; pH
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

The partition behavior of glycomacropeptide (GMP) was determined in polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium citrate aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). It was found that the partitioning of GMP depends on PEG molar mass, tie line length, pH, NaCl concentration and temperature. The obtained data indicates that GMP is preferentially partitioned into the PEG phase without addition of NaCl at pH 8.0. Larger tie line lengths and higher temperatures favor GMP partition to the PEG phase. Furthermore, it was verified that PEG molar mass and concentration have a slight effect on GMP partition. The increase in the molar mass of PEG induces a reduction of the protein solubility in the top PEG rich phase, being shown that the use of PEG1500 is beneficial for the extraction of GMP. A protein recovery higher than 85% was obtained in the top phase of these systems, clearly demonstrating its suitability as a starting point for the separation of GMP.